Vanilla Beans

Posted in New Releases, Westbrook Brewing Co

Westbrook 5th Anniversary Chocolate Raspberry Imperial Stout (DRINK NOW)

Westbrook 5th Anniversary Chocolate Raspberry Imperial Stout has just sporadically hit shelves across the brewery’s distribution network.

One thing is for sure, the brewery love their birthday releases. That’s where Westbrook Mexican Cake got its start. Westbrook 5th Anniversary Chocolate Raspberry Imperial Stout is a 10.5% alcohol by volume imperial stout, brewed with raspberries, vanilla beans and coco nibs.

We’re talking boozy dessert here.

A couple of tasting notes to throw at you. After drinking this one last night, a few of the Beer Street Journal readers mentioned waiting/cellaring before trying this beer. Essentially hoping an aspect of the beer (like the raspberries) would fade a bit from the flavor…. At this point, you don’t really want this beer do you? The beer you have in your fridge right now is exactly as the brewery intended it. So… drink in the boozy bit of berry laden deliciousness in front of you. Don’t wait.

Westbrook 5th Anniversary Chocolate Raspberry Imperial Stout is available now in limited quantities in 22 ounce bottles.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Vanilla Beans, Raspberries, Cocoa Nibs.)
Availability: 22oz Bottles. Limited.

Release: Late-January, 2016

10.5% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Ballast Point Brewing, Headlines

Ballast Point Orange Vanilla Fathom, a bottle potential

Ballast Point Orange Vanilla Fathom takes aim at the brewery’s bottle lineup. The beer has been available the past on tap.

If you haven’t caught on by now, the has taken a few of year-round offerings, and added a twist to the recipe. Examples include Peppermint Victory at Sea, and Pineapple Sculpin IPA. Playing on a little childhood nostalgia is Ballast Point Orange Vanilla Fathom. This recipe should remind you of an orange creamcicle, if the brewery hits the mark.

Our Orange Vanilla Fathom India-Style Pale Lager continues our quest for exploration. The piney and citrus hop aromas of our India-Style Pale Lager combine with sweet orange and creamy vanilla – while staying true to classic lagering techniques. Brewed with a touch of nostalgia, it may remind you of a childhood treat, but this one is just for adults.

Ballast Point Orange Vanilla Fathom is brewed with orange and vanilla. To be available in 22 ounce bottles.

Style: India Pale Lager (w/ Orange, Vanilla)
Availability: 22oz Bottles, Draft.
Release: TBA

7% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Tallgrass Brewing, Don't Miss This

Spotlight: Tallgrass Bourbon Barrel Aged Vanilla Bean Buffalo Sweat

Tallgrass Bourbon Barrel Aged Vanilla Bean Buffalo Sweat is a part of the brewery’s Explorer Series. It might be our favorite in the bunch. You’ll hate us for this, but it’s not in season right now.

The Manhattan, Kansas brewery has taken their oatmeal cream stout Buffalo Sweat, and created variants, including Bourbon Barrel Aged Buffalo Sweat, and is sexy can, Vanilla Bean Buffalo Sweat. That cream stout is enhanced by cinnamon, bourbon (from the barrel-aging, and of course – vanilla beans.

While this is a seasonal that comes out at the end of the year, (and well – it’s June now), do yourself a favor and keep an eye out for Buffalo Sweat, Bourbon Barrel Aged Buffalo Sweat, and this vanilla edition. It’s dessert in a can. Great by itself, or with ice cream. Or pizza. You chose.

Style: Milk Stout (w/ Vanilla Beans, Cinnamon, Lactose. Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)

Availability: 12oz Cans. Limited Seasonal,
Next Return:

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Coming Soon, Fonta Flora Brewery

Fonta Flora Sal De Gusano joins triple bottle release day

Fonta Flora Sal De Gusano will join two other special releases on January 16th.

While the other two releases – Sun Gold, and Land Trust are lighter offerings, Fonta Flora Sal De Gusano is an imperial stout. The 11.2% alcohol by volume imperial stout has been aged in mezcal barrels with cacao nibs from Asheville, North Carolina’s French Broad Chocolates. Additionally the beer features organic vanilla beans and Outer Banks sea salt.

All three beers release at a special brewery party on January 16th.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Cacao Nibs, Vanilla Beans, Sea Salt. Barrel Aged. Mezcal.)
Availability: 750ml Bottles. Limited.

Release: 1/16/16

11.2% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Asheville Brewing Company, New Releases

Asheville Brewing Love Ninja kicks in January 1st

Asheville Brewing Love Ninja kicks off 2016 on January 1st.

This seasonal ninja is a porter brewed with lactose (a milk porter), plus additions of vanilla beans, strawberries, and cocoa powder from French Broad Chocolate Lounge in Asheville, North Carolina.

“The aroma is fantastic,” says Scott Stuhr, lead cellar man at Asheville Brewing Company. “This beer smells like strawberry-chocolate cake. The aroma will knock your head off.”

Asheville Brewing Love Ninja is a 22 ounce bottles offering, that follows December’s Ninjabread Man.

Style: Milk Porter (w/ Strawberries, Chocolate, Vanilla Beans)
Availability: 22oz Bottles, Draft
Release: 1/1/2016

5.2% ABV, 26 IBUs

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Cigar City Brewing, Don't Miss This, New Releases

Cigar City Sardo Numspa, Inspired By Devil’s Food Cake [Released]

Cigar City Sardo Numspa, inspired by devil’s food cake.

The Tampa, Florida based brewery attempts to create a decadent dessert beer offering by brewing an imperial stout with hazelnuts, cacao nibs, and vanilla.

Inspired by Devil’s Food Cake, we brewed this high gravity stout with real roasted hazelnuts, two different varietals of cacao nibs, Indonesian vanilla, and rested it on cypress wood. Named in honor of the best devil from the 80’s, the deal, sweet, Sardo Numpsie.

Sardo Numpspa was Charles Dance’s character in the Eddie Murphy movie, The Golden Child. Game of Thrones fans will know Charles Dance as Tywin Lanister.

Cigar City Sardo Numspa is 22 ounce offering. On sale in the brewery’s tap room as on December 23rd.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Hazelnuts, Cacao Nibs, Vanilla Beans. Aged on Cypress)
Availability: 22oz Bottles, Draft.
Release: 12/23/15

?? ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Avery Brewing, Headlines

Avery Vanilla Bean Stout, aged in bourbon barrels launches year-round

Avery Vanilla Bean Stout, is the newest addition to the Boulder, Colorado brewery’s year-round lineup.

If the name alone doesn’t have you salivating, here’s the rundown. Base beer is an imperial stout, brewed with whole vanilla beans, aged in bourbon barrels. The best part – you’ll have access to this beer whenever your want it.

A double dose of vanilla derived from both fresh Bourbon barrels and the trio of Tongan, Ugandan, and Mexican whole vanilla beans is complemented by the essences of chocolate, caramel and molasses to round out this luxurious silky stout.

Avery Vanilla Bean Stout is a draft, and 22 ounce bottle offering year-round. The beer starts shipping for the first time mid-December. (Distro below)

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Vanilla Beans. Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 22oz Bottles, Draft. Year-Round
Distribution (1st Shipment): AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, KS, KY, MA, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, VA, WA, WI, WY

Release: 12/13/15

9.2% ABV

by Reid Ramsay